Jonin Meeting

The autumn sky was clear, and the vermilion, round-towered Hokage Building stood in the heart of the village.

The building narrowed with each rising floor, broad ocher eaves extending around every level. A round iron plaque hung on the top floor, engraved with a bold character for fire.

There was a particular solemnity about the Hokage's headquarters that day. People crossed the bluestone square outside, their faces grave.

In the three days since Tobirama Senju's return, most of Konoha's Jonin had come back to the village. Only those tied up with major missions had been unable to return.

"Kagami, I heard you did well this time. Just what I'd expect from a genius of the Uchiha Clan!" an Uchiha Jonin said excitedly to Kagami Uchiha.

"Tsukiyama, when did you get back?" Kagami Uchiha asked his clansman with a gentle smile.

Uchiha Tsukiyama was one of the Uchiha Clan's few Elite Jonin.

"I got a message from the clan head. I heard you awakened that? I came straight back."

"Hey, Sarutobi! What the hell happened? Why did Kumogakure ambush you? And I heard Lord Hokage stayed behind to cover your retreat?" a travel-worn ninja demanded of Hiruzen Sarutobi at the edge of the crowd.

The already solemn atmosphere turned colder.

Quite a few Jonin cast chilly looks toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and his companions.

"Hmph!" Mitokado Homura, standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, could no longer hold back. "What do you know? The circumstances were unusual. Our teacher was thinking of the bigger picture when he..."

"Enough, Homura!" Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off sharply. He turned to the crowd, a trace of bitterness on his face. "Everyone, whatever the reason, this happened because I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, failed. Thankfully, our teacher returned safely. When the Jonin meeting begins, I'll account for my actions before you all."

He finished and held the gathered Jonin's gaze, his eyes sharp and resolute.

"Heh... Something this serious, and you think an apology will settle it?" came a cutting voice from the crowd.

"You... Uchiha Tsukiyama, what are you trying to do?" Torifu Akimichi demanded, his expression dark.

"Pah! What, want to fight me? Come on, fatso! I've been sick of your lot for ages. A bunch of cowards who abandoned your leader to save your own skins. Do you have any principles as ninja?"

"Abandoning your leader on the battlefield—I doubt you'd find many freaks like you in the entire Shinobi World! Hahaha!" Uchiha Tsukiyama pointed at Torifu Akimichi and laughed in contempt.

"You! I'm going to smash that filthy mouth of yours!" Thoroughly enraged, Torifu Akimichi pulled out a Kunai.

"Stop, Torifu!" Hiruzen Sarutobi barked.

"Tsukiyama," Uchiha Setsuna said evenly from the crowd.

"Hmph!" Uchiha Tsukiyama snorted, said no more, and walked off to one side.

"Tsukiyama has voiced what most of us think," Uchiha Setsuna said calmly. "Nothing like this has happened since the First Hokage founded Konoha. Are we wrong to have questions? Heh. I even suspect you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, deliberately tried to get the Second Hokage killed!"

The accusation landed like a thunderclap. Suspicion showed on the others' faces, and even the usually composed Hiruzen Sarutobi was close to losing his temper.

"Uchiha Setsuna, you..." Torifu Akimichi began.

A door suddenly creaked open.

Someone emerged from the Hokage Building wearing a Forehead Protector and the Senju Crest, then walked toward the crowd.

"By Lord Hokage's order, all Jonin are to proceed to the Assembly Hall at once for the Jonin meeting!"

Having delivered the message, the ninja stood quietly and watched them.

"Hmph!"

With the Hokage's order, the farce finally came to an end.

Torifu Akimichi had no choice but to let it go. He followed the other Jonin into the Hokage Building.

The moment they entered the Assembly Hall, a solemn atmosphere settled over them.

They found their seats and sat down, all looking up at Tobirama Senju on the dais.

Tobirama Senju was not wearing his blue battle armor today. Instead, he wore a well-tailored Hokage Robe that lent him an air of authority.

The broad white robe draped over his shoulders made his tall figure look steadier still. Every movement carried the composure and bearing of Konoha's Second Hokage.

Seated at the head of the hall, he slowly surveyed the Jonin below. "A great deal has happened between my departure for the peace talks in the Land of Lightning and today."

He paused. His dark red eyes lifted slightly, settling on those in the front row. His tone remained level, but it carried an undeniable weight. "Some matters need to be addressed."

"First, the rumors that have spread through the village these past few days, claiming Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others abandoned their leader to save themselves."

"I won't investigate where they came from. But those claims are utter nonsense. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others broke through and returned to the village ahead of me on my orders. From this day forward, I do not want to hear such claims again." His gaze swept toward the Uchiha Clan's ninja, the warning in his eyes undisguised.

The backs of the Uchiha ninja caught in that gaze stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Only Uchiha Setsuna did not move. He remained seated upright, his back straight, not even a fold of his clothing shifting.

The muscles of his gaunt face tightened, and his expression turned ugly. He neither lowered his head nor avoided Tobirama's gaze. Instead, he raised his chin slightly and stared straight back, his dark eyes full of brooding resentment and defiance.

Damn Tobirama Senju. Damn the Senju Clan. He cursed them over and over through clenched teeth.

Tobirama did not seem to notice the murderous intent simmering beneath the surface—or perhaps he simply considered it beneath his notice. He withdrew his blade-sharp gaze as though that half-second pause had been nothing more than part of his routine survey of the room.

His eyes moved calmly across the other ninja, who sat holding their breath. Then he spoke, his voice as steady as ever. "Second. You have no doubt heard about Kinkaku and Ginkaku's ambush during my journey to Kumogakure to oversee the peace talks."

He paused briefly, taking in their expressions before continuing. "But our investigation has established that the two acted on their own, without orders from Kumogakure's leadership. Yesterday, I received an urgent letter from the newly appointed Third Raikage."

A hint of deeper meaning entered Tobirama's voice. "He wrote that, to demonstrate his sincerity and bring about genuine peace between our two nations, he is willing to visit Konoha in person."

He folded his hands on the desk and looked quietly at those below, then put the weighty question to them. "What do you think?"

As soon as Tobirama finished speaking, the already silent hall grew more oppressive still.

After a brief, deathly hush, a low stir ran through the crowd.

"What? Those damned Kumogakure ninja still dare come to Konoha?"

"Hmph! Good. Let them learn what it's like to lose comrades."

"But the Third Raikage is coming in person. Doesn't that show sincerity?"

"Bullshit, you coward. Lord Tobirama went to the Land of Lightning in person too. And what happened?"

"But..."

"No more damn buts. Say it again and I'll tear your mouth open."

"Hey, we're comrades. Don't talk to him like that."

Some of the Jonin below were openly angry, loudly venting their fury at Kumogakure.

Others sat motionless in their seats, their faces giving nothing away.

Still others looked worried, unease in their eyes, as though they feared some plot lay behind the visit.

For a time, the hall filled with noise as all those emotions churned together.

Tobirama raised a hand and pressed it downward. His deep voice carried through the hall. "Quiet."

The murmuring stopped at once. Everyone fell silent and looked toward him.

Tobirama surveyed the room, then turned to the first seat on the left. "Hyuga Clan Head, you first."

The Hyuga Clan Head rose and bowed slightly, his expression grave. "The Third Raikage's willingness to visit in person does demonstrate sincerity. But Kinkaku and Ginkaku's rebellion has only just been quelled. Kumogakure may not yet be stable internally. I believe we can receive him, but Konoha's defenses must be strengthened across the board. We cannot let our guard down for a moment."

"Please sit." Tobirama nodded, then looked to the right. "Nara Clan Head, your thoughts."

The Nara Clan Head rose at an unhurried pace and scratched his head. His face bore its usual lazy expression, but his eyes were clear. "Peace is a good thing, of course. But the new Raikage has only just taken office. What he needs most is to establish his authority and reassure his people. By coming to Konoha, he probably hopes to show his country his diplomatic skill as well as negotiate peace. We might as well receive him graciously and give him that opportunity. But at the negotiating table, we shouldn't yield an inch on what's owed to us."

Tobirama offered no comment and called on several others.

"Kagami, what do you think?" Kagami Uchiha, whose mind had wandered, suddenly came back to himself.

"Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Kumogakure's rogue ninja, attacked the meeting without warning and killed many of our comrades. That blood debt cannot be forgotten. Although the main culprits are dead, how many families in Konoha have lost loved ones? First, Kumogakure must pay appropriate compensation to support them."

"And since the Raikage is coming in person, he should visit the Memorial Stone to pay his respects to the ninja who died in the attack."

Kagami Uchiha paused and looked at Tobirama Senju. Seeing Tobirama nod, he continued, "I know many of you are furious that Kumogakure attacked us. But you also need to understand that Konoha has only just come through a great war. There is so much to rebuild. We cannot afford to be dragged into an endless war of attrition with Kumogakure."

"If war breaks out again, Kumogakure may not be our only enemy. The other villages of the Shinobi World have been eyeing Konoha hungrily all along."

"Peace in the Shinobi World is what everyone hopes for. Too many people have died in this war already. Hatred will never disappear, but we at least need time to recover. There will still be time to settle this debt!"

When he finished, Kagami Uchiha addressed Tobirama Senju respectfully. "Lord Hokage, those are only my humble thoughts. The final decision is yours to make."

His posture was deferential, his tone sincere and modest. No one could fault it.

Tobirama looked at him, a faint, almost imperceptible approval flashing through his dark red eyes.

Kagami always knew where the line was. Of them all, he gave me the least cause for worry. Perhaps...

He nodded slightly and made his final decision. Then he swept his gaze across the hall again, his voice returning to its customary stern authority. "Kagami Uchiha is right. He has considered the matter thoroughly. We will proceed as he suggested."

"Tokuma, you will personally lead the team responsible for receiving and guarding the new Raikage. Be courteous without being servile. Show him Konoha's hospitality, but hold firm to our limits. Shikada, coordinate the security measures and negotiation plans. I do not want any mistakes."

"Yes!" The Hyuga Clan Head and Shikata Nara rose at once to accept their orders.

Tobirama folded his hands and fixed the room with a heavy gaze. "Is that clear?"

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Tobirama raised his hand slightly. "Dismissed."

At Tobirama's word, everyone rose and filed out of the hall in orderly fashion.

Kagami Uchiha walked out with the crowd, but just as he was about to cross the threshold, Tobirama Senju's low, steady voice sounded behind him. "Kagami, stay a moment."

Kagami Uchiha stopped and turned. A flicker of puzzlement passed through his lowered eyes, but he gave it no further thought. He stood quietly until the last ninja had left, then gently closed the hall's doors.

"Come with me." Tobirama Senju had already turned and was walking straight toward the Hokage Office.

Kagami Uchiha immediately collected himself and followed Tobirama Senju at a measured pace. They crossed the corridor one behind the other, their soft footsteps the only sound.

A moment later, Tobirama Senju opened the door to the Hokage Office and went in. Kagami Uchiha followed and closed the door behind him.

The office was brightly lit, with several unfinished documents stacked on the broad desk. Tobirama Senju walked behind it but did not sit. He turned, his dark red eyes resting quietly on Kagami Uchiha by the door.

Kagami Uchiha approached the desk and stood respectfully. "Lord Hokage, what did you want to see me about?"

Tobirama Senju's deep voice rang especially clear in the quiet office. "Kagami, I want to know how you truly see the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village."

It was a pointed question, one that carried a hint of a test.

Kagami Uchiha showed no alarm. He stood still under Tobirama Senju's searching gaze, rapidly considering what the question meant.

He knew this might be more than a simple question and answer. Tobirama could be weighing the convictions at the very core of his being.

He lowered his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts, then raised his head, his gaze open and firm. "Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan is my blood. It is the root I can never sever. But Konoha is the home I swore to protect as a ninja."

He paused, then continued in a steady, earnest voice. "The rise and fall of my clan matters, of course. But without the village's protection and prosperity, the clan would be a tree without roots, doomed to perish sooner or later in the struggles of the Shinobi World. As an Uchiha, I naturally want my clan to thrive. But I am also a ninja of Konoha. So if the clan's interests ever conflict with the village's safety, I will choose the village without hesitation."

"Because only if the village stands secure can the Uchiha Clan have a place where it can truly endure."

Kagami's voice was not loud, but every word carried conviction. He looked at Tobirama Senju with neither bitterness nor resentment in his eyes, only clear-eyed loyalty.